Rejigged "Spider-Man" musical to re-open in June

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A new version of the $70 million Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark" with music written by U2's Bono and The Edge will open June 14, producers said on Monday.

The most expensive show in Broadway history, the revamped musical will be first shown in previews on May 12. The show has been postponed at least six times due to cost overruns, actors injured during preview performances and director and co-creator Julie Taymor being relieved of duties in March.

The hi-tech musical, which has still been gaining a strong box office despite its problems, closed for three weeks starting Monday for cast and crew to rehearse the new version that has diminished some of Taymor's vision.

It will also add new songs by Bono and The Edge, as well as changing the story and some of the choreography.

"We look forward to getting to the finish line with the wonderful new version of 'Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark' that is now in the works, with Phil McKinley at the helm," producers said in a statement.

McKinley replaced Taymor, the director behind the spectacular reinterpretation of Disney's hit "Lion King," after critics had a field day lambasting the stunt-packed tale of a crime-fighting teenager with the superpowers of a spider.

Other setbacks for the show which features complicated flying sequences included a stuntman injured in December when he fell from a high platform on the stage, and one actress suffered a concussion when she was hit by a rope while offstage.

The injuries caused safety and health officials to order the show's producers to implement new safety rules.